Restaurant Hasn't Got Penndot's Message

August 27, 1985|by CHUCK AYERS, The Morning Call

An on-again off-again compromise between Seafood Shanty on Route 309 in Quakertown and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation regarding the restaurant's sign is apparently off again - but the sign is still on.

The electronic billboard that flashes messages to motorists as they drive through the busy intersection has been found in violation of the Outdoor Advertising Control Act of 1981, according to letters from PennDOT.

The sign had been the center of controversy in July regarding a borough ordinance that prohibits flashing signs when it was learned PennDOT had ordered Seafood Shanty owner Joseph Gentile to remove it.

A July 2 letter from PennDOT District 6-O administrator Richard V. Vishab in St. Davids gave the restaurant 30 days to remove the sign or face a $500 fine for each day over the limit the sign remained.

A second letter dated July 25 responding to correspondance from Seafood Shanty reiterated the sign does not conform.

In said in part, "It will be necessary for you to bring the outdoor advertising device in question into conformity with the department's rules and regulations, or we will find it necessary and proper to commence with the appropriate legal proceedings to ensure compliance with our requirements."

Subsequently, a restaurant spokesman said a compromise had been reached with the state agency that would allow the sign to stay as long as it provided public service information such as time, date, temperature, weather or similar information.

Under the terms of the alleged compromise, two messages would be allowed every three minutes but no messages that travel or scroll across the digital screen would be permitted, the spokesman said.

In addition, he indicated only clearly legible lettering could be used and that every third message must contain the time and temperature.

However, an Aug. 16 letter from PennDOT district engineer Robert Rowland notes the sign had not been brought into conformance and that the case has been referred to PennDOT's legal representatives in Harrisburg for further action.

A memo from Quakertown Assistant Borough Manager David Woglom to council members last night concluded that based on talks with PennDOT and review of correspondance between the restaurant and the state, "the sign must come down."

However, as of last night, the evening manager had no knowledge of the sign's non-conformity and it continued flashing its messages.